2 replies to this topic

[go-fish]

What is the different between full-conversion and semi-conversion refinery in terms of type of process units and the refined products?

[sheiko]

I don't know the concepts you mention.
The 3 types of refineries I know are defined as follows:
- simple (or hydroskimming) refinery: crude distillation, catalytic reforming and hydrotreating
- complex refinery: simple + vacuum distillation, catalytic cracker, hydrocracker, alkylation unit and gas plant
- very complex refinery: complex + a coker

Edited by sheiko, 27 June 2012 - 09:52 PM.

[gegio1960]

Basically, in a full-conversion refinery you don't produce fuel oil at all while in a semi-conversion one you only reduce the quantity of fuel oil (bottom-of-the-barrell) that is present in the crude (after the Vacuum Distillation Unit).
Various options are available to convert the BOB fraction; mainly:
- Coking: it is the most applied technology, especially in the USA. It produces a lot of gas and gasoline, little distillates and coke as by-products.
- Vacuum Residue Hydrocracking: it is a very severe operation, using Hydrogen at very high pressure (200-250 bar). It maximizes the production of middle distillates.